2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tarell Basham Ohio EDGE
By Josh Marion
Tarell Basham is one of the most productive EDGE prospects in this draft class, but will his lack of pass rush moves be his detriment in the NFL?
Tarell Basham enters the NFL draft as one of its more productive prospects. During his time at Ohio, Basham racked up an impressive 27 sacks, as well as 38.5 tackles for loss in his four-year playing career.
Despite his consistent production throughout the entirety of his playing career, Basham’s 2016 campaign was not only his last, but his most impressive. During his 2016 senior campaign Basham totaled 11.5 sacks, 16 TFL’s, and was named Mid-American Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Measurables
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 269 LBS
Arms: 34 ¼”
40-Yard: 4.7 sec
Strengths
At 6’4” 269 pounds, Basham has the desired build NFL teams look for in an EDGE player. Shows explosion off the line of scrimmage throughout the game, giving opposing OT’s problems recovering. One of the highest motors out of any of the EDGE prospects in the class.
Pairs his explosion off the snap with an uncanny speed off the edge. Shows an understanding of his responsibility, and has few, if any, mental mistakes on tape. Has a desired versatility from an EDGE prospect, due to his ability to be able to drop into coverage adequately if when asked too. Finds the ball carrier in the backfield and attacks regardless if it is not in his area of the field.
Attacks scrambling QB in the open field with great success. Has arguably the highest football IQ out of any prospect to come out at the EDGE position in this years class.
Weaknesses
Shows a lack of diversity in his pass rush arsenal, mainly using his speed and explosion to attack the OT opposite of him. Tends to get too far up-field, and out of the play in pass rush situations.
Has long arms, but doesn’t show consistent use of them to create leverage off the edge. Extremely raw skill set, in part to his consistent success against the competition in the Mid-American conference.
Doesn’t use his hands to shed blocks, instead tries to rely on his size and burst. Seems to get stuck to the blocker when the ball is run his way.
Final Thoughts
Although Basham possess a raw overall skill set, he showed consistent production in college due to his elite burst/speed off the edge. It may take time for him to develop his pass rush moves, and adjust to the physicality of the run game at the NFL level.
As a 2nd-3rd round prospect, Basham can be developed into a potential starter as a 4-3 DE, or a 3-4 OLB. Due to his high motor and football IQ, don’t be surprised if we look back on Basham as one of the steals of the draft.